against the brick surfaces. It is permissible to use a measuring device to
obtain the dimensions of the brick, provided the measurements are not
affected by large pores in the surface.
5.2 Placing Test Specimens in Kiln:
5.2.1 Place the test specimens in the kiln so that each will
rest on a 9 in. by 2
1
⁄
2
in. or 3 in. (228 mm by 64 mm or 76 mm)
face. Place each specimen upon the 9 in. by 2
1
⁄
2
in. or 3 in. face
of a supporting brick that shall be from the same lot as the test
specimen. Place between the test specimen and the supporting
member a layer of suitable refractory material, that is nonre-
active under the test conditions and passes an ASTM No. 16
(1.18 mm) sieve (equivalent to a 14-mesh Tyler Standard
Series) and retained on an ASTM No. 40 (425 µm) sieve
(equivalent to a 35-mesh Tyler Standard Series). Place each
specimen no closer than 1
1
⁄
2
in. (38 mm) from either the other
test specimens or the furnace wall and parts.
6. Temperature Measurement
6.1 Measure the temperature within the kiln by means of an
appropriate calibrated thermocouple. Refer to Table 1 and
Table 2 of Specification E230/E230M for the tolerances and
upper temperature limits for use of various thermocouples. At
higher temperatures, the thermocouple may be withdrawn and
a calibrated optical or radiation pyrometer (refer to Test
Methods E1256) can be used. Place the hot junction of the
thermocouple or sight the pyrometer so as to register the
temperature of the test specimens. Make temperature readings
at intervals not greater than 15 min. Check the kiln periodically
by thermocouples, pyrometers, or pyrometric cones (refer to
Test Method C24) to ensure that temperature over the hearth
does not differ by more than 25 °F (14 °C) or one half-cone.
7. Test Temperature Schedules and Duration of Test
7.1 The temperature to be used for the test shall depend on
the classification into which the IFB falls (see Classification
C155).
7.2 The heating schedules for the various classes of IFB are
given in Table 1. Maintain the maximum temperature for a
period of 24 h, and leave the specimens in the kiln until the
temperature has fallen to about 800 °F (430 °C). Blisters may
develop on the surface of the test brick, in which case remove
them by rubbing their surfaces very lightly with a fine abrasive
block before remeasuring in accordance with 5.1.2.
8. Calculation and Report
8.1 Reheat Change—Calculate the reheat change in percent
from the average measurement for the dimension obtained
before and after reheating.
8.2 Reheat Volume Change—When the reheat volume
change is requested, calculate it from the average measurement
for the three dimensions obtained before and after reheating, as
follows:
V5
@
~
V
o
2V
f
!
/V
o
#
×100 (1)
where:
V= volume change, percent,
V
o
= original volume, and
V
f
= final volume.
8.3 Report—When the test is conducted for evaluating IFB
in accordance with Classification C155, the average linear
change for the 9 in. (228 mm) dimension only shall be re-
ported; otherwise, or when specified, the average of the reheat
change for the length, width, and thickness shall be reported
and, if requested, the average reheat volume change.
9. Precision and Bias
9.1 Interlaboratory Test Program—An interlaboratory test
program between six laboratories was conducted. Each labo-
ratory received three samples each of three IFBs: K-20, K-26
LI, and K-3000. The bricks were provided by Thermal Ceram-
ics. The laboratories participating were C.E. Minerals, Orton
RRC, North American Refractories, National Refractories,
Thermal Ceramics, and Premier Refractories.
9.2 Precision:
9.2.1 Repeatability—The maximum permissible difference
due to test error between two test results obtained by one
operator on the same material is given by the repeatability
interval and the relative repeatability interval (coefficient of
variation). The 95 % repeatability intervals are given in Table
2. Two test results that do not differ by more than the
repeatability interval will be considered the same and,
conversely, two test results that do differ by more than the
repeatability interval will be considered different.
9.2.2 Reproducibility—The maximum permissible differ-
ence due to test error between two test results obtained by two
operators in different laboratories on the same type of material
using the same type of test equipment is given by the
reproducibility interval and relative reproducibility interval
(coefficient of variation). The 95 % reproducibility intervals
are given in Table 2. Two test results that do not differ by more
than the reproducibility interval will be considered the same
and, conversely, two test results that do differ by more than the
reproducibility interval will be considered different.
9.3 Bias—No justifiable bias statement is possible since the
true values of the properties of the reference material are not
defined.
NOTE 1—The dots on the center line of each face are
1
⁄
2
in. (13 mm) in
from each edge, and the cross on the axis is in the center. These positions
indicate the points at which three measurements for each dimensions are
to be made.
FIG. 1 Test Brick Showing Measurement Locations
C210 − 95 (2024)
2